Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislator Sukhram Oraon, who dropped out of school over 20 years ago, has appeared for the matriculation examinations along with his son. The father and son sat for the exam on Wednesady, albeit in separate centres in West Singhbhum's Chaibasa, an hour's drive from the steel city Jamshedpur.

"I prepared for the examinations by reading the notes of (his son) Sunny, who is also appearing for the exams. He helped me a lot in my preparations before the exams," Oraon, who dropped out of Class nine in 1984, told reporters in Chaibasa after sitting for the first paper.

What prompted him to appear for the test at the age of over 40? "I realised the importance of education only after becoming a legislator. Being a non-matriculate, I used to feel bad to give away prizes to toppers in matriculation every year," he said.

Now Oraon is optimistic that other non-matriculate politicians will be inspired by his example, and not let their age come in the way of furthering their educational skills. Lack of education, he said, leaves one vulnerable as education and development are synonymous.